Environmental Enforcement in Dire Straits: There Is No Protection for Nothing and No Data for Free

摘要

Although our modern environmental programs have been in existence for decades, we have not learned all we need to know about which ways of enforcing these programs work and which do not. In our study, we were not able to put to rest the question of which is "better"-cooperative- or deterrence-based enforcement. In fact, sweeping generalizations may never be possible because most every state conducts its programs in a unique way. However, we were able to empirically demonstrate that higher per capita spending by states on environmental enforcement programs is strongly associated with better program compliance, and thus, presumably better environmental results. This important finding should spur reexamination of theories about how cheaper enforcement can still provide adequate environmental protection. The study also creates interesting questions regarding state ideology and program effectiveness that will have to wait for more comprehensive data in order to more fully untangle these relationshios.